Electronic waste generation worldwide stood at roughly 62 million metric tons in 2022. Several factors, such as increased spending power, and the availability of electronics, has fueled e-waste generation in recent decades, making it the fastest growing waste stream worldwide. This trend is expected to continue, with annual e-waste generation forecast at 82 million metric tons in 2030.

How much e-waste do people produce?

Globally, e-waste generation per capita averaged 7.8 kilograms in 2022. However, this differs greatly depending on the region. While Asia produces the most e-waste worldwide in volume, Europe and Oceania were the regions with the highest e-waste generation per capita, at 17.6 and 16.1 kilograms respectively.

E-waste disposal

In 2022, the share of e-waste formally collected and recycled worldwide stood at 22.3 percent. Meanwhile, around 48 million metric tons are estimated to have been collected informally, with 29 percent of this value being disposed as residual waste, most likely ending up in landfills. Due to the hazardous materials that are often used in electronics, improper e-waste disposal is a growing environmental concern worldwide.

From January to September 2024, approximately 375 thousand metric tons of household waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) were collected in the United Kingdom. On average, some 120,000 metric tons of household electronic waste are collected each quarter. The UK is one of the biggest producers of e-waste in the world. Types of e-wasteWEEE, often referred to as e-waste, consists of electronic products that are discarded at the end of their useful life. Types of e-waste include phones, computers, and light bulbs, as well as large household appliances such as fridges, microwaves, and washing machines. The latter category makes up the largest volume of collected e-waste in the United Kingdom. E-waste a growing problemE-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. There are health concerns over the way it is disposed of, as large amounts are exported to developing countries. With a lack of proper waste management, electronics are often burnt, resulting in the likely contamination of soil, water, and food. It is estimated that less than one-third of electronic waste generated worldwide is formally collected and recycled.

Presence of various types of household electronic waste (eWaste) and disposal methods used in previous 12 months.

In 2022, 30 percent of e-waste generated in the Americas was documented as formally collected and recycled. Nevertheless, rates varied significantly across the continent; while more than 52 percent of e-waste was collected in North America (U.S. and Canada), in South America this figure stood below three percent. E-waste generation in the Americas amounted to 14.4 million metric tons that year.

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Electronic Waste Recycling Market Size 2025-2029

The electronic waste recycling market size is forecast to increase by USD 32.74 billion at a CAGR of 21.6% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is driven by stringent government regulations mandating proper e-waste management. These regulations aim to mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with the improper disposal of electronic waste. Furthermore, the increasing number of mergers and acquisitions among market companies signifies a consolidating industry, with companies seeking to expand their market presence and enhance their capabilities. However, a significant challenge facing the market is the lack of awareness about proper methods of e-waste segregation. Battery recycling and CRT recycling are essential sub-segments, given the hazardous nature of these materials.
Companies in this market must navigate these challenges by investing in public awareness campaigns and developing innovative solutions for e-waste segregation and recycling to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable waste management practices. This obstacle hampers the effective collection and recycling of e-waste, limiting the potential for value recovery and sustainable disposal solutions.

What will be the Size of the Electronic Waste Recycling Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The electronic waste (e-waste) recycling market is characterized by continuous innovation in recycling processes, ensuring the safe dismantling of e-waste while adhering to occupational safety standards. Metal refining and material separation technologies, such as pre-treatment processes and plastic granulation, play a crucial role in the efficient extraction of precious metals. National e-waste policies and sustainability reporting are driving the industry towards greater environmental stewardship, with post-treatment processes and energy recovery becoming increasingly important. Quality assurance and recycling certifications are essential for maintaining industry best practices and stakeholder engagement.

Data analytics and waste characterization facilitate policy analysis and recycling economics, while environmental remediation and recycling facility optimization ensure regulatory compliance. Public awareness campaigns and waste classification efforts contribute to the overall success of the market, with a focus on circular economy principles and circular business models.

How is this Electronic Waste Recycling Industry segmented?

The electronic waste recycling industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Material

  Metals and chemicals
  Plastic
  Glass


Source

  Household appliances
  Entertainment and consumer electronics
  IT and telecom
  Medical equipment
  Others


Method

  Mechanical recycling
  Pyrolysis
  Others


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Material Insights

The Metals and chemicals segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The market is driven by various entities and trends. The metals and chemicals segment, a significant component, focuses on recovering valuable metals like gold, silver, and copper, as well as safely disposing of hazardous materials. This segment's dominance is due to the economic incentive of extracting and reusing precious metals, essential for electronic manufacturing given the limited natural resources. Regulations mandate proper disposal and recycling of toxic substances to mitigate environmental and health risks. IoT technology integration in recycling processes enhances efficiency and accuracy, while AI and big data analytics facilitate material identification and sorting. Producer responsibility schemes promote take-back programs, ensuring compliance with waste management regulations.

Sustainable practices, such as plastics recycling and circular economy principles, reduce the carbon footprint and promote resource recovery. Recycling technologies, including sorting and shredding, treatment, and processing equipment, enable the recovery of various components, such as CRT glass, batteries, and precious metals. Quality control measures, including manual sorting and automated sorting, ensure the highest standards. Reverse logistics and material flow analysis optimize the supply chain, ensuring efficient e-waste collection and transportation. Data sanitization and security are cru

In 2022, roughly ********** metric tons of electronic waste were documented as formally collected and recycled worldwide. Europe accounted for the largest share, at ** percent, or *** million metric tons. In contrast, in Africa, less than ****** metric tons were formally collected. Overall, only **** percent of global e-waste generation that year was documented as formally collected and recycled.

Electronic Waste Management Market estimated size and share is projected to exceed USD 148.50 billion by 2034, with a forecasted CAGR of 9.5% during the period.

India E-Waste Management Market is projected to reach USD 5,198.52 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 13.52% from 2024-2032.

The global E-waste management market size reached USD 80.0 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 206.0 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 11% during 2025-2033. The significant investments in recycling infrastructure, expansion of leading companies globally, growing research and development activities, increasing number of key players seeking environmental certifications, and growing awareness about the importance of e-waste disposal are some of the factors propelling the market..

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on material type, source type and application.

Series Name: Electronic waste recycling (Tonnes)Series Code: EN_EWT_RCYVRelease Version: 2021.Q2.G.03 This dataset is part of the Global SDG Indicator Database compiled through the UN System in preparation for the Secretary-General's annual report on Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycledTarget 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuseGoal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patternsFor more information on the compilation methodology of this dataset, see https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/

Series Name: Electronic waste generated (Tonnes)Series Code: EN_EWT_GENVRelease Version: 2020.Q2.G.03 This dataset is the part of the Global SDG Indicator Database compiled through the UN System in preparation for the Secretary-General's annual report on Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.Indicator 12.4.2: (a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatmentTarget 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environmentGoal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patternsFor more information on the compilation methodology of this dataset, see https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/

Globally, Asia generates the largest volume of electronic waste. In 2022, the region generated over ** ******* metric tons of e-waste, more than ***** the amount of the Americas. E-waste that is not disposed of properly can result in toxic substances polluting the environment.

The E-waste Recycling market has emerged as a critical component of the global sustainability landscape, driven by the increasing volume of electronic waste generated worldwide. As technology evolves at an unprecedented rate, devices such as smartphones, laptops, and televisions become obsolete rapidly, leading to a

Statistics illustrates consumption, production, prices, and trade of Electrical and electronic waste and scrap in Isle of Man from 2007 to 2024.

The E-waste Material Recycling market is rapidly emerging as a crucial component in the global waste management landscape, driven by the exponential growth of electronic devices and the subsequent increase in electronic waste, or e-waste. A comprehensive analysis indicates that the market for recycling e-waste was v

Statistics illustrates consumption, production, prices, and trade of Electrical and electronic waste and scrap in CIS from 2007 to 2024.

The E-waste Data Destruction Services market has emerged as a critical sector in today's digital landscape, where the proliferation of electronic devices has given rise to significant concerns regarding data security and environmental sustainability. With businesses and individuals alike generating vast amounts of e

In 2022, the volume of formally collected electronic waste in China reached 1,952 metric kilo tonnes, which accounted for 16 percent of the overall e-waste generated. In addition to the formal collection, there is an informal waste management sector in China.

Since 2010, Sweden's recycling rate of electrical and electronic equipment waste (WEEE) decreased despite some fluctuation, peaking at **** percent in 2019 and reaching a low of **** percent in 2020. In 2021, the recycling rate of e-waste reached **** percent, a slight increase since the previous year.

Presence of various types of household electronic waste (eWaste) and disposal methods used in previous 12 months.